Double Giveaway #5

Today is a double giveaway!

That’s right, there are TWO giveaways you can enter today, so be sure to scroll up to the next post to see the other giveaway.

This giveaway is hosted by my high school friend, Crystal.

Crystal has an incredible, heartbreaking and brave story to share with you.

I knew she had lost a baby as well, but never knew the details so when she decided to share them with me and you I was brought to tears.

Here is Crystal’s story & giveaway:

“I first met Kristin when we were in Jr. High School. We had a few classes together and only talked a few times.
We never hung out together though. I really liked her and thought she was amazing girl.
Then through Facebook we connected again (and I think it was about the time she found out she was pregnant with Ruby).
I was also pregnant at the time with my fourth child and this time it was my first little girl as well as Kristin.
We were due around the same time (give or take away a day or two), and I was super excited that I knew someone who was having a girl (all my friends who were pregnant at that time were having boys).
I loved to read Kristin’s Facebook and blog to see how she was doing. Kristin then had announced she was having Ruby on the 11th of October.
I was soooo excited for her. I also was being induced on the 13th of October so I thought that was even more exciting that our girls would be just days apart. Kristin had baby Ruby and I couldn't have been more excited for their little family.
Kristin then announced Ruby's birth and everything else that came along next. My heart ached for them.
I would tell my husband/mom/family about what Kristin and her family were going through and I shed thousands of years just telling them about it. It just hit so close to home for my family.
I felt so bad for them that when I had my little girl I didn't want to post anything about her or even post pictures of her cause I didn't want Kristin to feel worse seeing I had a healthy baby girl while her baby girl was going through so much.
I knew what she was going through cause back in 1999 I was expecting my first child, a baby boy. I was soooo excited.
One night (March 16) my boyfriend and I went shopping. While out shopping I was having stomach aches, so I would sit down every chance I got  so that I could bend over and lay my stomach on my legs (if I did that then it didn't hurt anymore, I even sat in the car like that).
When he was done shopping we were on our way home and he keep asking me "Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"
I told him no because as long as I sat like that I was fine.
When I got home I was asking my mom what it meant if my stomach would tighten and relax. She asked me if it hurt. It really didn't hurt, it was just uncomfortable. She told me maybe it was just a stomach ache from something I ate.
I went to sleep and early morning (March 17) I coughed and it broke my water. I went and told my mom that I thought my water had just broke. She took me over to Payson hospital, they checked me and said they were taking me by ambulance to the Provo hospital since they had a bigger NICU unit and they would have the stuff they needed for my premature baby. I was due July 4.
They put me in the ambulance and off I went. The paramedics keep telling me to quit pushing. I was NOT pushing, he was just coming.
When we got to the delivery room they put me in the bed, went get the Dr.and came back in the room to find my baby already delivered on the bed. I had him in 3 minutes. I remember them running in, coming over to the bed, picking him up and running him over to his bed and started working on him. They told me things didn't look good for him and that I needed to name him.
My mom and the nurses keep trying to get a hold of my boyfriend but he didn't believe the nurses since I was fine the night before.
He thought I'll run over to the hospital before I head to work and make sure it is Crystal and to see if I was ok.
I was in my room alone when Miguel (my boyfriend) walked in. All I could say to him was our baby needed a name through my tears.
He kissed my forehead, took my hand and sat down next to me. We named our baby boy Miguel (after him) Alfredo (after my dad).
Our baby Miguel Alfredo Ortiz was born on March 17, 1999 weighing 1 lb. 7 oz. I had him at 24 weeks (5 months).

He lived for 2 weeks before we took him off of life support. He had a #2 brain bleed, his eyes were still fused shut so he would be blind.
He would have to have a feeding tube his whole life. Everything keep going wrong with him so Miguel and I decided what kind of a life would that be for him so we decided to let him go. That is thee worst decision I have ever had to make.
The night we took him off of the machines I felt so at ease. I knew, I could feel him there with us so strongly.
As we sat there holding our baby letting our family hold him for the very first and last time was the hardest night.
His little heart was beating so hard trying to live. He lived for 45 minutes. He died in our arms on March 31, 1999 @11:45 p.m.
As I thought about Ruby and Kristin I hurt for them, I didn't want Kristin to lose Ruby but the savior always has a different plan. He chose Kristin and I to be the mother of his special children. I know that families are forever and Kristin and I will be able to raise and be with our babies again!!!

For my giveaway I made this paper wreath. I did it red in honor of baby Ruby.

 

I am also giving away this necklace.

 

It's a shamrock with one leaf being red. The shamrock resembles my baby Miguel since he was born on St. Patrick’s day and the leaf of the shamrock that is red resembles baby Ruby. When you wear this necklace I hope that you remember both babies!!

I would also thank Kristin for letting me be part of Ruby's birthday giveaways, it means so much to me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET RUBY JUNE!!"

Reading Crystal’s story about her angel baby Miguel hit so close to home.

It truly is amazing when I hear of people learning of Ruby’s story and mourning with those that mourn.

I can’t believe that she found something so perfect to represent both babies.

Crystal with nice enough to make me a wreath and give me a necklace as well.

The wreath is AMAZING. Pictures don’t do it justice.

By the way, her daughter who is the same age as Ruby is the cutest thing ever and I hope she never feels bad about posting pictures of that darling girl.

To enter to win this giveaway please share with us a random act of kindness that you can do in honor of baby Miguel.

It can be as simple as taking someone’s shopping cart back, holding a door open, or taking treats to a neighbor.

Winner will be announced October 30th.

Thank you again Crystal for your kindness & thoughtfulness.